Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to provide Universal Health Coverage to every citizen in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken in the direction so far and results yielded along with the funds spent in this regard during each of the last three years, State-wise including Tamil Nadu; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) & (b) One of the stated objectives of the National Health Policy, 2017 is to progressively achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The primary vehicle to strengthen public health systems in the states for moving towards UHC is the National Health Mission - which subsumes both National Rural Health Mission and National Urban Health Mission.
(c ) & (d) Public health and hospitals is a state subject. Under the National Health Mission, the Government has already taken many steps towards universal health coverage. Strengthening of public facilities under NHM provides social protection, particularly to weaker sections. The Central Government is supporting States for provision of a host of free services including for maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning, universal immunisation programme, and for major diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS, vector borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue and Kala Azar, Leprosy etc. Other major initiatives for which states are being supported include Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), Rashtriya Bal SwasthyaKaryakram (RBSK), Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), implementation of NHM Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics Service Initiatives, and implementation of National Quality Assurance Framework. Under the Rashtrya Swasthya Bima Yojana, cashless treatment upto Rs 30000 is available to specified categories of workers in the unorganised sector for
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secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Additional cover of Rs 30000 is available for senior citizen.
NHM has been instrumental in accelerating the decline of key indicators such as Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Total Fertility rate (TFR) with India registering higher average rates of decline as compared to the global average rates of decline. The Millennium Development Goal target for Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/ AIDS was also achieved. There has been an increase in immunization coverage, institutional deliveries in government institutions and in inpatient and outpatient visits to public health facilities.
The State wise details of funds released and expenditure incurred under NHM including for State of Tamil Nadu for last three years is at Annexure.